One of Our Favorite Gifts!!!

Five years ago on December 22, 2003, God gave us our beautiful baby girl. She has been such a wonderful gift. She has given us much joy and laughter in her five years. She has also made sure that we continue to lean on the Lord. Our favorite memory of her this year is her increasing interest in learning more about the gospel. This past year someone put up a cross on a vacant lot that we pass almost everyday when we leave the house. Everytime we pass it she gets so excited and says, "Daddy (mommy) ask me cross words?" She loves for us to ask her questions about the gospel. We are grateful for the reminder we pass often to remind us to teach our little girl the most important thing that could ever be taught. The Lord as used this and we have seen great change in our little girl. We have seen God opening her eyes to her sin and His awesome sacrifice for it! Happy Birthday, JellyBean!!!! We love you!!!

Resurgence Christmas Party

Last night, Mark took Makenzie to our Resurgence (youth group) Christmas Party. It was a costume party. Makenzie went as little kid on Christmas morning and Mark went as a football player. (don't get any ideas the Falcons jersey was a last minute idea, we still love the Titans even if they did loose to the Texans) They had a blast at the party. Our youth group is an parent/teen group that allows the parents to attend with the youth. Mark loves this opportunity to spend time with Makenzie and see her grow in godliness. We see God's grace working in her life!!

Happy 39th Birthday, Mark!

Today is Mark's 39th bithday! The kids and I are sooooo thankful for the godly man that God has given us to lead our family! Your the best, honey!

Tagged!!

I was tagged! Here is the 5th picture in the 5th folder of my pictures. (thanks, Wok!!) Isn't she adorable! It was Mika's 2nd Christmas. (she was only 3 days old on her fist Christmas) Okay, I tag Heather Hoerl, Michelle Lindsey, and Makenzie Pfaller. When tagged you are suppose to publish the 5th picture in the 5th folder in you computer. No pressure, just fun! (or should I say PFUN!!)

Thanksgiving!!

As you can see, we had a blast during the Thanksgiving holiday! After enjoying a great dinner, we spent lots of time playing games and looking through the newspaper ads for our shopping trip on Friday. The next day we fought the crowds. After much looking. I found the one gift that I had set out to find. Later Friday night, we went to Christmas in the City that was in downtown Knoxville. The kids had a blast eating kettlecorn, making crafts, and playing with their cousins. They look forward to going back at Christmas to ice skate.

So Thankful!!

Since I have been blessed in the fact that my mother-in-law is doing all the cooking for Thanksgiving, (which I am thankful for) I have had more time to ponder what I am thankful for this year. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful family. An awesome husband who loves, serves, and dies to himself daily to care for us. Three children who are a joy to parent everyday. The ability to stay home to care for my family and homeschool my children. I am sure like most of you I am most thankful for my Saviour. It never ceases to amaze me that One so holy would lay down His life for me. This morning the Lord lead me to this gentle reminder in Andrew Murray's book, Humility:
"With Christ, who committed His Spirit into the Father's hands, humble yourself and descend each day into the perfect, helpless dependence upon God. God will raise you up and exalt you. Every morning, sink in deep, deep nothingness into the grave of Jesus. Every day, the life of Jesus will be manifest in you."
WOW! I pray that will be my heart's cry, to depend on Him and lay down my life daily that He will be lifted up. I'm so thankful that my Saviour provided the way. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

First B-Ball Game

Caleb had his first basketball game today. They won 22-18. Caleb scored 8 of their points. He is playing for a different league this year. He is playing for Shiloh Hills. It is a very competitive league. He is having a blast because one of his church freinds is on his team. WAY TO GO, BUD!! Mom and Dad are proud of you!

It's Fixed!!!

Big OOPS!!!!

Mark has been so sweet this week to begin beadboarding my downstars bathroom. It was a belated birthday present for me. He has been so busy that it has taken until now to begin the project. He worked all day Saturday cutting out the piece to fit behind the tiolet. About 7:00p.m. Saturday night (when the Vol game was beginning) he was ready to screw the board in the wall. At that time all I heard was, "Kim,Kim, Come Quick!!!!" When I came around the corner all I could see was water spraying (like Mount St Helen) everywhere. Mark was trying his hardest to block it, but it was spraying his face, body, and had already covered his feet. Even funnier, I had already put on my PJs to enjoy the game, I was running around the outside of the house trying to figure out how to shut off the water. Our neighbor was enjoying the sight from his front yard and came over to shut off the water for me. After a quick trip to Home Depot, we started the game around 9pm. As you can see from the picture, Mark's tools were floating in the bathroom. What you can't see is water covering the walls, dripping from the ceiling, and Mark fully drenched. I love you, honey. Thank you for serving your wife and her impossible demands! I'm sorry that the game stunk on top of everything you went through.

For HIM!!

I thought this was a beautiful picture of Makenzie. At the end of the Christmas program every year the girls end the show by taking off their pointe shoes and pointing them to the cross. We are so grateful that the Lord has given Makenzie the chance to use her talent for HIM!!!

For the first time, their pumpkin carving was pretty good!

CARE GROUP!!

We just had our first care group social and had a blast! After a game of kickball, the kids having a great time on the playground and playing football, and enjoying southern fried chicken, we were all worn out.

I agree! GO VOLS!

Steal the base, Shelly!

I know the pictures are not that great! I was suppose to be the catcher and you know how competitive Mark is. I had to take them quick!

7-0 Season!!

Caleb's team swept the season in football. He scored 3 touchdowns on Saturday, beating the other team, 34-6. I tried to convince him that he got all his talent from me, but as you can see from my last post, it clearly came from his father and ultimately from his Heavenly Father! WAY TO GO STEELERS!!!!

!!!Champs!!!

He wins again! Mark's tennis team is now the ALTA champions in his league. Mark and his partner, Mike, (or Bing-Bong, the kids call him) won 6-1.6-1 and finished in two sets. They play in the play-offs this coming Saturday. YOU GO, JUICEBOX AND BING-BONG!!

Caregroup

Well, I'm off to continue to clean for caregroup tonight. We are both having a blast being caregroup leaders. I so enjoy seeing Mark used by the Lord to lead worship and group discussion. I know we have all called him the "pride-munger" for so long, but I am so encouraged watching him grow in humility as he leads. Tonight the discussion is about a message that our pastor gave on Sunday. He spoke on Joshua 7:1-26. One of the questions he asked was, "Do you take sin seriously?". After much reflection since Sunday, I am sooooo grateful for my Savior who died on the cross for my sin!!! It is amazing to think Jesus, the most Holy One, took my punishment and accounted His righteousness to me.

What a blast! Makenzie, Caleb, and I went with some friends horseback riding today. This was the first time the kids had ever ridden a horse that was not attached to a pony circle. They each brushed and saddled their own horse. After a short lesson they were out walking and trotting in the arena. They both had very energitic horses. The owner pegged me well and put me on Cole, a 22 yr old horse. We got along great. After playing in the arena we went on a very hilly trail ride. When we were done we each unsaddled our horse and brushed them out. They have not stop talking about it yet.

Makenzie on a very stubborn Lightening!

Caleb on Belew!

OK, don't tell anyone, but we ditched school today and went on a fieldtrip. (homeschoolers get to do that to!) We joined a few good friends and went to the pumpkin patch. The kids had a blast leading the moms through the corn maze. They did pretty good, however we were all very muddy when we were finished. Mika enjoyed riding the pony, and of course was begging to go again. Kenz and Caleb were not jealous since they get to go real horseback riding tomorrow. Maybe I'll post those pictures tomorrow, if I'm not to sore and walking bowlegged.

Mika got to ride Milky Way the pony

Makenzie, Caleb, and Mika at Yahoo Farms

Juicebox WINS!

I know you are probably wondering who juicebox is, well it's Mark. That is the nickname his team has given him. He and his tennis partner won again this week. If they win again this Saturday, then there is a good chance his team will be #1.

It Begins!

I know! I have been saying forever that I do not have time to do this, but I thought all our family and friends might enjoy seeing our pictures and hearing the fun stories from time to time. So here it goes! I may or may not be able to keep up with it, but I will try.